Opportunity

Why build and create beauty in the heart of Lansing?

Development costs in a blighted city core are often higher per unit than in exurban (outlying, low-density) areas due to expensive land acquisition, remediation of existing structures or contamination, and the complexity of rebuilding aging infrastructure. Urban land can exceed $150,000 per acre, and the costs to update utilities, roads, and public spaces can push total expenses into the range of $100,000–$500,000 per new resident, with higher-end projects approaching $1 million per resident. By contrast, exurban development may benefit from much lower land costs (sometimes just a few thousand dollars per acre) and fewer obstacles to construction, leading to lower up-front costs per resident.

However, the opportunity in revitalizing a city core is significant: investments can leverage existing infrastructure, promote walkability, reduce sprawl, and revitalize communities, leading to long-term economic, social, and environmental returns that exurban projects rarely match. While exurban development may seem cheaper in the short term, city core revitalization offers the chance to reverse decline, stimulate economic activity, and build more resilient, sustainable communities—benefits that often justify the higher initial investment.

Under new management, Sparrow is finally acknowledging that it has contributed to urban blight and decay.

We advocate for those who live and work in Lansing to ensure that it becomes a vibrant, beautiful city. Even in the city, the natural environment can be restored, providing clean air, water, and natural spaces to all.